Winding spool



Aug. 15, 1961 F. J. BIEBER ETAL WINDING SPOOL Filed March 21, 1960 .HRFm m s 5 v I m 19% W1 RC MN 555 am 9 NB: w

FIG. .3

United States Patent 2,996,265 WINDING SPOOL Frederick J. Bieber andClarence I. Steinback, Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to AcrometalProducts, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota FiledMar. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 16,221 2 Claims. (Cl. 242-118.61)

Our invention relates generally to winding drums or spools for wire andthe like and more particularly to spools of the disposable or throw-awaytype.

The primary object of our invention is the provision of a drum of theclass above described which may be mass produced at a relatively lowprice but which is adequately rugged and durable for the purpose.

A further object of our invention is the provision of a device of theclass immediately above described which is sufiiciently precise in itsdimensions and in the interfitting of its related parts to accomplishthe functions for which it was created.

A further object of our invention is the provision of a device of theclass described which may be constructed of a minimum of parts and witha minimum of time and effort.

The above and still further objects of our invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims, andattached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters in dicate like partsthroughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of our novel spool;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, our novelinvention comprises a winding element, shown as being in the nature of acylindrical tube 1 preferably formed from sheet steel or the like.Abutting the opposite ends of the cylindrical winding element 1 arediametrically enlarged parallel flange-like heads 2, which may be formedof any suitable metallic or non-metallic material. In practice, we havefound that a product sold in sheet form and known commercially asSuper-Wood serves nicely for this purpose.

Each of the heads 2 is provided with a central opening 3 of a diametergreatly less than the diameter of the winding element 1, said openings 3being concentric with each other and with the axis of the windingelement 1. Furthermore, each of the heads 2, radially intermediate thecentral openings 3 therein and the adjacent edge of the winding element1, are provided with circumferentially spaced transverse openings 4therethrough which, preferably and as shown, are circumferentiallyelongated to permit insertion of the hand for the purpose offacilitating lifting for transportation and the like. Each of thecircumferentially spaced openings defines radially outer surfaces 5which are in substantial alignment with and form outward extensions ofthe inner surface 6 of the winding element 1, for a purpose which willhereinafter become apparent.

A pair of clamping or anchoring plates, each identified in its entiretyby the numeral 7, are provided, one each overlying an outer surface 8 ofone of the heads 2. As shown, said clamping plates 7 are annular inshape, the external diameter thereof being greater than the diameter ofthe adjacent end of the winding element 1.

The central openings 9 in the clamping plates 7 are defined by axiallyinwardly extended bearing flanges 10 which are snugly received withinthe central openings 3 in the heads 2. Clamping plates 7 likewise arefor-med to provide circumferentially spaced openings I11 which registergenerally with the openings 4 in its cooperating head 2.

The radially outer limits of the circumferentially spaced openings 11 inthe anchoring plates 7 are defined by integrally formed axially inwardlyextending anchoring tongues 12 which project through thecircum-ferentially spaced openings 4 in the heads 2, closely overlyingthe radially outer edges 5 thereof. As indicated particularly in FIG. 3,the inwardly projected ends of the anchoring tongues 12 overlie theopposite ends of the winding element -1 and are rigidly secured thereto,by spot welding or the like, as indicated at 13.

Our invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completelysatisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while wehave disclosed a commercial embodiment thereof, we wish it to beunderstood that our invention is capable of modification withoutdeparture from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, a tubular winding element havinga generally circular cross section, diametrically enlarged parallelflange-like heads in abutting relationship with opposite ends of saidwinding element, said heads having central openings therein ofconsiderably less diameter than that of said winding element, saidcentral openings being concentric to each other and to said windingelement, said heads intermediate their central openings and theperiphery of said winding element having circumferential-1y spacedtransverse hand receiving openings therethrough the radially outersurfaces of which are in substantial alignment with the interior surfaceof said winding element, a pair of clamping plates one each overlyingthe axially outer surface of one of said heads, said clamping plateshaving central openings therein concentric with the central openings insaid heads and having outer diameters greater than the adjacent end ofsaid winding element, each of said clamping plates havingcircumferentially spaced hand receiving openings which registergenerally with the circumferentially spaced hand receiving openings inits cooperating head and having circumferentially spaced anchoringtongues which project through the circumferentially spaced handreceiving openings in said heads, each of said tongues being rigidlysecured to the adjacent end portion of said winding element.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the cen tral openings insaid clamping plates are defined by axially inwardly extended integralbearing flanges which are snugly received within the central openings insaid heads.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,802,104- Bilger et a1 Apr. 21, 1931 1,999,379 Tompkins Apr. 30, 19352,121,234 Howsam June 21, '1938 2,139,557 Moretti Dec. 6, 1938 2,238,731Howsam Apr. 15, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 278,217 Great Britain Oct. 6. 1927

